Zinc α-2 Glycoprotein (ZAG) a Novel Biomarker for the Detection of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Oral cancer, the most challenging and life threatening disease in the field of dentistry, may start as a reactive lesion due to constant stimulus from tobacco consumption, transform into a pre-malignant lesion (dysplastic lesion) and ultimately develop into a cancerous lesion (Invasive carcinoma). There is a fundamental revolution taking place in the analyzing methods; extraction of biological protein from the saliva rather than from tissues or blood. Several of the biomarkers have been studied with pro-carcinogenic effects like Interleukins (ILs), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and leptin, but only a few have been stated in the literature, which show anti-cancer characteristics like adiponectin and zinc alpha-2 glycoprotein. This review explored the diagnostic and prognostic values of a biomarkers zinc alpha-2 glycoprotein (ZAG) in adults suspected of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The PubMed, EMBASE and Google Scholar were searched for scientific studies reported on the potential mechanism of zinc alpha-2 glycoprotein. All the research articles were selected in which ZAG is applied solely or in conjunction with other biomarkers in oral cancer and other cancers. These literatures were carefully assessed to find out and compile the diagnostic and prognostic values and to inquire therapeutic action of ZAG in the process of carcinogenesis

Severe Hyponatremia due to Hypopituitarism Secondary to Empty Sella Syndrome

This case is about a 68 years old patient presented with worsening generalized weakness, dizziness, low mood and reduced appetite with the background history of gout and vitamin D deficiency. On general examination, the patient appeared very lethargic. However, the systemic examination was unremarkable. The vitals check showed a low blood pressure of 104/72 mm Hg. The investigations showed low levels of serum Sodium, Thyroid stimulating hormone, Cortisol. The short Synacthen test was abnormal. The anterior pituitary hormones level showed low levels of Follicle stimulating hormone, Luteinizing hormone and prolactin. CT head with contrast showed enlarged fluid filled pituitary fossa with fat. An MRI Pituitary gland showed an empty sella syndrome. The patient was hydrated initially and electrolytes were monitored regularly. Treated with hydrocortisone and thyroxine to which the patient responded and improved significantly. A follow-up appointment was arranged at endocrine clini

Expression of Zinc Alpha-2 Glycoprotein in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Oral Dysplasia

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most prevalent cancer of the oral cavity representing 90% among all the common oral malignancies. It is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and ranked second highest in Pakistan. The purpose of the study was to assess the expression of zinc alpha-2 glycoprotein in oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral dysplasia. The study aimed to evaluate the association of zinc α-2 glycoprotein (ZAG) expression with different clinico-pathological parameters of OSCC. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Ziauddin University from January 2020-July 2020. The consecutive sampling technique was applied. In this study, 120 cases were of oral squamous cell carcinoma and 24 of oral dysplasia. The tissue samples of both cases were collected from the Histopathology Department of Ziauddin University. The zinc alpha-2 glycoprotein expression was explored through immunohistochemical analysis. The data was analyzed through SPSS and p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: ZAG positive stained OSCC cases in which 2 (1.6%) were of strong staining intensity, 10 (8.3%) moderate, and 14 (11.6%) mild, but the remaining 94 (78.3%) samples and entire oral dysplasia samples did not stain. The positive stained OSCC samples 23(46.9%) belonged to the early stages of OSCC with statistically significant results (p<0.001). All the positive stained samples were of moderately differentiated OSCC (p=0.008). Conclusion: In this study, positive expression of zinc α-2 glycoprotein was found in the early stages (I and II) and showed a higher association with moderately differentiated tumors. Keywords: Immunohistochemistry; Mouth Neoplasms; Precancerous Conditions; Zn-Alpha-2-Glycoprotein (ZAG)

WORK RELATED INJURIES IN SMALL SCALE METAL PRESS INDUSTRIES OF SHAHDRAH TOWN, LAHORE, PAKISTAN

The work place injuries have to pay both direct and indirect cost of the accidents. With a population of 169 million, Pakistan has no reported estimate of the national impact of workplace injuries. This study presented a profile of workplace injuries associated with small medium enterprises of metal press cottage industries in Shahdra Town, Lahore (Pakistan) and determined the impact on the country’s economy besides to recommend strategies for delineating these important problems. The in-house accident investigation technique was used to collect the data from randomly selected small scale metal press cottage industries of study area for all types of injuries principally from minor to major ones. It was observed that role of human error in occupational injuries is momentous and keeping in view the necessity of proper safety training of the metal workers, thre is a dire need to institute an information system to evaluate the true impact of injuries and develop national safety standards

Exploration of Two Cucurbitaceae Fruit (Muskmelon and Watermelon) Seeds for Presence of Phytochemicals, and Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities

Cucurbitaceae family fruits, especially melons, offers significant quantities of minerals carotenoids and phenolic compounds, contributing to their antioxidant activity. However, seeds of these fruits are usually discarded as waste by products. In current study, seeds of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) and muskmelon (Cucumis melo) were separated, dried, grounded and extracted, with 70% ethanol, to investigate total phenolic content (TPC), flavonoid content (TFC), carotenoid content (TC) content, and total antioxidant activity (TAA). Further, antimicrobial activities of these extracts were tested against selected bacterial and fungus strains. Results showed that extracts of both cucurbits presented significant amounts of phytochemicals, with higher quantities presented by watermelon seeds. In watermelon seeds, TPC were found 156.50 mg/GAE 100 g, TFC 56.78 mg CE/100 g, TC 36.65 mg/100 g, and TAA 71%, and these amounts were significantly higher than those found in muskmelon seeds. Antimicrobial study results showed that extracts of both seeds exhibited significant zone of inhibitions against three bacterial and three fungal species, and these values were very comparable to the reference antimicrobial drug used, Ciprofloxacin. Findings of current research work provided significant grounds for presence of phytochemical bioactives in two melon fruits seeds, providing the basis for extraction and utilization of these bioactives, through processing and fortification different pharma foods

A2ML1 and otitis media : novel variants, differential expression, and relevant pathways

A genetic basis for otitis media is established, however, the role of rare variants in disease etiology is largely unknown. Previously a duplication variant within A2ML1 was identified as a significant risk factor for otitis media in an indigenous Filipino population and in US children. In this report exome and Sanger sequencing was performed using DNA samples from the indigenous Filipino population, Filipino cochlear implantees, US probands, Finnish, and Pakistani families with otitis media. Sixteen novel, damaging A2ML1 variants identified in otitis media patients were rare or low-frequency in population-matched controls. In the indigenous population, both gingivitis and A2ML1 variants including the known duplication variant and the novel splice variant c.4061 + 1 G>C were independently associated with otitis media. Sequencing of salivary RNA samples from indigenous Filipinos demonstrated lower A2ML1 expression according to the carriage of A2ML1 variants. Sequencing of additional salivary RNA samples from US patients with otitis media revealed differentially expressed genes that are highly correlated with A2ML1 expression levels. In particular, RND3 is upregulated in both A2ML1 variant carriers and high-A2ML1 expressors. These findings support a role for A2ML1 in keratinocyte differentiation within the middle ear as part of otitis media pathology and the potential application of ROCK inhibition in otitis media.Peer reviewe

Antibody designing against IIIabc junction (JIIIabc) of HCV IRES through affinity maturation; RNA-Antibody docking and interaction analysis.

Hepatitis C virus is a single-stranded RNA based virus which can cause chronic HCV and hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV genotype 3a has relatively higher rate of fibrosis progression, prevalence of steatosis and incidence of HCC. Despite HCVs variation in genomic sequence, the 5' untranslated region containing internal ribosome entry site (IRES) is highly conserved among all genotypes. It is responsible for translation and initiation of the viral protein. In present study, IRES was targeted by designing variants of reported antigen binding fragment (Fab) through affinity maturation approach. Affinity maturation strategy allowed the rational antibody designing with better biophysical properties and antibody-antigen binding interactions. Complementarity determining regions of reported Fab (wild type) were assessed and docked with IRES. Best generated model of Fab was selected and subjected to alanine scanning Three sets of insilico mutations for variants (V) designing were selected; single (1-71), double (a-j) and triple (I-X). Redocking of IRES-Fab variants consequently enabled the discovery of three variants exhibiting better docking score as compared to the wild type Fab. V1, V39 and V4 exhibited docking scores of -446.51, -446.52 and-446.29 kcal/mol respectively which is better as compared to the wild type Fab that exhibited the docking score of -351.23 kcal/mol. Variants exhibiting better docking score were screened for aggregation propensity by assessing the aggregation prone regions in Fab structure. Total A3D scores of wild type Fab, V1, V4 and V39 were predicted as -315.325, -312.727, -316.967 and -317.545 respectively. It is manifested that solubility of V4 and V39 is comparable to wild type Fab. In future, development and invitro assessment of these promising Fab HCV3 variants is aimed

Analysis of perturbed Boussinesq equation via novel integrating schemes.

To analyze and study the behaviour of the shallow water waves, the perturbed Boussinesq equation has acquired fundamental importance. The principal objective of this paper is to manifest the exact traveling wave solution of the perturbed Boussinesq equation by two well known techniques named as, two variables [Formula: see text] expansion method and generalized projective Riccati equations method. A diverse array of soliton solutions, encompassing periodic, bright solitons, singular solitons and bright singular solitons are obtained by the applications of proposed techniques. The constraint conditions for newly constructed solutions are also specified. To enhance comprehension, the numerical illustrations of constructed solutions have been represented using surface plots, 2D plots and density plots. The results delineated in this paper transcend existing analysis, offering a novel, well-structured, and modern perspective. The solutions obtained not only enrich understanding of shallow water wave models but also exhibit efficacy in providing detailed descriptions of their dynamics

Frequency of pyrexia among women presenting with premature rupture of membranes

Background: Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) is defined as the rupture of fetal membranes before the onset of labor. PROM complicates 8 – 10% of pregnancies, contributing to maternal and perinatel mortality and morbidity. Maternal pyrexia is a sign observed in women with PROM indicating intrauterine infection.&nbsp; Objective: To determine the frequency of pyrexia among women presenting with premature rupture of membranes. Material And Methods:&nbsp; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar. It was a Descriptive (cross-sectional) study conducted from Jan 13, 2O16 to July 12, 2016. Sample size was 369, keeping 4% proportion of pyrexia among women with PROM, 95% confidence interval and 2% margin of error under WHO sample size calculation. Sampling Technique was non-probability consecutive sampling Results: In this study, 369 women with premature rupture of membranes were observed. Average age was 29.53+6.3SD. The pyrexia among women presenting with premature rupture of membranes was observed in 10.57 %. Conclusion: Maternal pyrexia after PROM is more common in older women